Avicularia juruensis Mello-Leitao , 1923

Fukushima, Caroline Sayuri & Bertani, Rogerio, 2017, Taxonomic revision and cladistic analysis of Avicularia Lamarck, 1818 (Araneae, Theraphosidae, Aviculariinae) with description of three new aviculariine genera 01, ZooKeys 659, pp. 1-185 : 52-58

Avicularia juruensis Mello-Leitao, 1923 Figs 15, 19, 76, 106-108, 109-116, 117-122, 123-126, 127, 307

Avicularia juruensis Mello-Leitão, 1923: 321, 377, figs 156, 188 (syntypes 4 females and 1 male, Brazil, Amazonas, Juruá [4°47'S, 68°38'W], Garbe col., 1902, MZUSP 125 A–D, examined; lectotype male (MZUSP 125C) and paralectotype female (MZUSP 125B), here designated); Roewer 1942: 255; Bücherl 1953: 128, figs 9-11 (misidentification, probably a Tapinauchenius ); Bonnet 1955: 831; World Spider Catalog 2016.

Avicularia urticans Schmidt, 1994: 5, figs 1-2 (holotype female, from Peru, Krasa leg., 1989, SMF 38035 and spermathecae in microslides, SMF 58243-84 21/11, SMF 58243-84, examined), 1995c: 2, figs 1-2; World Spider Catalog 2016. Syn. n.

Remarks.

Avicularia urticans holotype is in poor conditions since the specimen died during moulting process. Its spermatheca is preserved in slides, but unfortunately it lost most of its natural shape. Despite this, it was possible to observe that spermatheca have midwidth expanded, about 1.5 times its basal and apical portion widths. Spermatheca morphology and overall body coloration match with large specimens found in Peru and Ecuador. Well-preserved material were examined and despite some differences in color features, Avicularia urticans is indistinguishable from Avicularia juruensis . Thus, we consider Avicularia urticans Schmidt, 1994 as junior synonym of Avicularia juruensis Mello-Leitão, 1923.

Diagnosis.

Females of Avicularia juruensis resemble those of Avicularia variegata stat. n. and Avicularia taunayi by the spermathecae having midwidth expanded, about 1.5 times its basal and apical portion widths (Fig. 106). They can be distinguished from Avicularia taunayi by the spermathecae lacking lobes (Fig. 106). Males of Avicularia juruensis resemble those of Avicularia avicularia , Avicularia rufa , Avicularia variegata stat. n., Avicularia taunayi , Avicularia purpurea , and Avicularia merianae sp. n. by the tibial apophysis on leg I with well-developed base and grouped spiniform setae distally (Fig. 114). They differ from males of all these species except Avicularia variegata stat. n. by its well-developed prominence on tegulum (Fig. 111). Males and females of Avicularia juruensis can be distinguished from Avicularia variegata stat. n. by intense purple sheen on carapace and legs (morphotype 2, Figs 120-121) or intense golden sheen on carapace and legs (morphotype 1, Fig. 122). They can also be distinguished from Avicularia variegata stat. n. by the occurrence area: western part of South America, in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru (Fig. 76).

Additional material.

COLOMBIA: Vaupés: Vaupés [0°5'N, 70°48'W], low Río Apaporis, Lago Toraima, Estación Biológica Caparu, 200 m asl, 1 male, Col. Jaime Pinzól (AP3-5) ( ICN–Ar- 2006); Putumayo: Puerto Leguízamo, Parque Nacional Natural La Paya [0°28'N, 75°49'W], Mamansoyá (Mamangaya [sic]), 1 male, 21 September 2001, D. Campos col. ( ICN–Ar- 1972); Amazonas: Letícia, km 2 Via Taparaca (trapaca [sic]), (4°12'19.25'S, 69°55'58.07"W), 100 m asl, 1 male, Col. Est. Sist. Anim. I-2002, 25 April 2002 (13001) ( ICN–Ar- 1970); [4°12'S, 69°56'W], km 11, Carretera a Tarapaca, bosque en interior de hija enrollada con casulo de seda a 50 m del suelo, coleta manual, 100 m asl, 1 immature, E. Flórez col., 27 October 1997 ( ICN–Ar- 1978); km 10, via Terapacos, Finca La Arerosa, 95 m asl, 1 immature, Col. Est. Sist. Animal II.03, 06 November 2003 ( ICN–Ar- 2369); La Pedrera, Resguardo Indígena Curaril–Los Ingleses, colectada em el interior de una vivenda, em horas nocturnas, 1 male, Z. Cordero col., 24 April 2004 ( ICN–Ar- 6819); cerca de Letícia [4°12'S, 69°56'W], 100 m asl, D. Campos col., August 1997 ( ICN–Ar- 5002); BRAZIL: Amazonas: between Benjamin Constant [4°22'S, 70°01'W] and São Paulo de Olivença [3°22'S, 68°52'W], 1 male, P. L. Conti col., 3 August 1972, ref. 9971 (IBSP 2829); Alto Solimões, 2 males, 31 August 1972 (IBSP 3389); Igarapé Belém, near confluence with Rio Solimões [3°05'S, 60°08'W], 1 male, B. Malkin col., 5-30 April 1966 (AMNH 1.29); Rio Negro [3°09'S, 59°57'W], 1 female, J. Coffey col., September 1994 (AMNH RW31); Carauari, left margin of Rio Juruá, Comunidade Esperança, RESEX Médio Juruá (05°05'31"S, 67°10'03"W), 1 male, F. F. Xavier Filho & A. L. Henriques col., 27 June to 16 July 2005 (INPA 4886); Pará: Breves [1°40'S, 50°28'W], margem W, Área 2, 1 male, J. Dias col., 2 February 1988 (MPEG 5398); Acre: Cruzeiro do Sul [7°37'S, 72°40'W], 1 female, S. Albuquerque (by photo); ECUADOR: 1 female, M. Baumgarten leg., 1994 (IBSP 12887); Napo: Parque Nacional Yasuní, Catholica Field Station (0°40'54"S, 76°23'9.33"W), 2 males, A. I. Ognato col., 15 July 1996 (CAS 6, CAS 4); Puerto Napo, 20 km east, Aliñahuí (1°0'S, 77°25'W), 450 m, 1 immature male, V. D. & B. Roth col., January 1994 (CAS 11A); 1 immature male, Avicularia urticans det. R. West in August 94, V. D. & B. Roth col. (CAS 8); 1 male, Avicularia urticans det. R. West in August 94, V. D. & B. Roth col., June 1994 (CAS 5); Puerto Napo, 25 km East, Selva Aliñahuí [1°0'S, 77°25'W], 450 m, 2 immature males, E. Ross col., January–February 1991; Avicularia sp. near juruensis det. J. Ledford 1997 (CAS); Pastaza: Tiguino [1°12'S, 7°51'W], 1 female, W. Lamar col., September 1990 (AMNH RW53); Morona-Santiago: Los Tayos, (3°05'S, 78°02'W), 1 female, in grass area near mil. camp, in afternoon, 5 July 1976 (IBSP 12884); same locality, in hole in tree trunk live but part rotten c.1 m from base, 1 male (IBSP 12888); PERU: spermathecae in microslides, no further information (SMF 58257-84); Rio Bombo, alto Tapiche, 1 female, 2 immatures, H. Bassler col, January 1928 (AMNH Pe55); R. Marañon [6°24'S, 76°05'W], 1 female, Bristol [col.?], October 1927 (AMNH Pe5); Marañón (Marauon [sic]),1 female,1 immature male, Bristol [col.?], October 1927 (AMNH Pe96); no data, probably Loreto, INRENA confiscation, 1 female (UA 088/2004); Peruvian jungle, confiscation, 1 male (UA 098/2004); Loreto: no further information, 1 female, Collection Bluntschili-Peyes, 1912 (AMNH Pe115); Cashiboya [7°39'S, 74°55'W], 1 female, February 1927 (AMNH Pe111); Estirón [4°07'S, 70°43'W], Rio Ampiacu, 3 females, 1 male, 2 juveniles, B. Malkin col., 15-22 May 1966 (AMNH Pe58); Iquitos [3°44'S, 73°15'W], 1 female, J. Huff col., November 1995 (AMNH RW51); Iquitos, Rio Momon, Amazon Camp (3°41'13.00"S, 73°16'48'00"W), 2 females, 1 male, R. C. West col., 9 November 1993 (AMNH RW35, AMNH RW36, AMNH RW37, respectively); 1 male, T. Mason col., March 1993 (AMNH RW39); 2 females, R. C. West col., 6 November 1993 (AMNH RW40, AMNH RW41); 1 male, E. Cooper col., May 1993 (AMNH RW43); Pebas [3°19'S, 71°51'W], 1 female, De Mathan col. ( MNHN–AR 4902); Rio Tahuayo [4°53'S, 73°08'W], 1 male, W. Lamar col., September 1990, found parasite on forest floor (AMNH RW46); San Martín: Tarapoto [06°07'S, 75°57'W], 1 female, (UA 668/2005); Valley of Cainarachi, 40 miles east of Tarapoto, 1 female, 700-1500 m a.s.l., December 1925 (AMNH Pe54); Ucayali: Pampa Hermosa, Rio Ucayali [7°34'S, 74°19'W], 1 male, 1 female, January or June 1927 (AMNH Pe34); (Pompa Hermosa [sic]; Ucayoli [sic]), 8 females, February 1927 (AMNH Pe116); Rio Utiquinea [8°131'S, 74°32'W] (Upper Utoguinia [sic]), La frontera, 1 juvenile female, H. Bassler col., 1928 (AMNH Pe113); (Rio Utuguinea [sic]), Peru–Brazil frontier, 1 immature, August 1927 (AMNH Pe109); Crenze Zwischen Peru und Brazil, sud Crenze, Beim Uberer Utoquinia, 1 immature male, “Scolopenda”, 10 February 1928 (AMNH 1.10); Río Ucayali [7°34'S, 74°19'W], Suhuaya + Rean Rean [?], 2 juvenile females, 1 immature male, 12-16 December 1926 (AMNH Pe122).

Male.

Description.MZUSP 125C. Carapace: 15.23 long, 15.31 wide, 4.67 high. Chelicera: 5.60 long. Legs (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 15.92, 8.47, 12.61, 11.81, 7.31, 56.12. II: lost. III: lost. IV: 16.63, 6.87, 14.78, 15.72, 6.16, 60.16. Palp: 9.11, 6.03, 8.09, -, 3.51, 26.74. Midwidths: femora I–IV = 3.21, -, -, 3.08, palp= 2.23; patellae I–IV = 2.74, -, -, 2.60, palp= 1.91; tibiae I–IV = 2.34, -, -, 2.43, palp= 2.18; metatarsi I–IV = 1.54, -, -, 1.70; tarsi I–IV = 1.67, -, -, 1.93, palp= 2.06. Abdomen: 16.66 long, 12.25 wide. Spinnerets: PMS, 1.20 long, 0.54 wide, 0.23 apart; PLS, 1.83 basal, 1.79 middle, 2.96 distal; midwidths 1.41, 1.41, 0.93, respectively.

Carapace: as long as wide; cephalic region slightly raised, thoracic striae conspicuous.

Fovea: deep, slightly recurve, 2.27 wide.

Eyes: ocular tubercle 1.05 high, 2.19 long, 3.22 wide. Clypeus 0.56. Anterior eye row procurve. Posterior slightly recurve. Eye size and interdistances: AME 0.69, ALE 0.77, PME 0.25, PLE 0.65, AME–AME 0.59, AME–ALE 0.51, AME–PME 0.22, ALE -ALE 2.14, ALE–PME 0.95, PME–PME 1.97, PME–PLE 0.21, PLE–PLE 2.47, ALE–PLE 0.54, AME–PLE 0.56.

Maxilla: length to width: 2.31. Cuspules: 100-200 spread over ventral inner heel. Labium: 2.51 long, 2.75 wide, with 87 cuspules spaced by one diameter from each other on anterior third. Labio-sternal groove shallow, flat, with no visible sigilla.

Sternum: 7.18 long, 6.71 wide. Sigilla: not evident.

Legs: Formula: IV=I - -. Length leg IV to leg I: 1.07. Clavate trichobothria: 2/3 distal on tarsi I, IV. Scopulae: Tarsi I and IV fully scopulate. IV lacking sparse setae. Metatarsi I fully scopulate, II–III?; IV on distal 1/3. IV divided by a row of setae.

Type II urticating setae: 0.94-1.01 long, 0.017-0.021 wide.

Palp (Figs 109-112): globous bulb with small subtegulum and well-developed prominence on tegulum. Embolus: not flattened, without keels, 5.02 long in retrolateral view, about 3.0 times tegulum’s length. Medial portion and tegulum’s margin form an acute angle in retrolateral view. Proximal part very curved in frontal view; thin distal width, abruptly narrowing distally; basal, middle, and distal width of 0.89, 0.17, 0.03, respectively. Tegulum: 1.62 long, 2.72 high in retrolateral view. Cymbium subtriangular with subequal lobes, and well-developed rounded process on retrolateral lobe, bearing thick setae (Figs 113, 307).

Tibial apophysis (Figs 114-116): single branch on prolateral leg I, with well-developed base and grouped spiniform setae distally. Male metatarsus I touches retrolaterally tibial apophysis’ setae when folded.

Color pattern: carapace brown with golden short body setae. Carapace border with long setae the same color as dorsal carapace short body setae. Coxae, labium, sternum and maxillae brown, slightly darker than ventral femora. Legs and palps with golden brown short body setae and brown long dark guard-setae. Leg rings on distal femora, tibiae and metatarsi whitish. Abdomen dorsum with reddish brown guard-setae and black short body setae. Ventral abdomen brown.

Female.

Redescription.MZUSP 125B. Carapace: 19.26 long, 16.94 wide, 5.22 high. Chelicera: 8.77 long. Legs (femur, patella, tibia, metatarsus, tarsus, total): I: 15.30, 9.13, 11.53, 9.92, 6.66, 52.54. II: 14.21, 8.26, 10.39, 10.37, 6.25, 49.48. III: 12.99, 7.49, 9.86, 9.68, 6.43, 46.45. IV: 15.75, 8.48, 13.59, 13.19, 6.62, 57.63. Palp: 10.61, 6.74, 7.07, -, 8.34, 32.76. Midwidths: femora I–IV = 3.64, 3.71, 3.84, 3.45, palp= 2.84; patellae I–IV = 3.55, 3.68, 3.69, 3.62, palp= 2.90; tibiae I–IV = 2.97, 3.13, 3.00, 2.72, palp= 2.88; metatarsi I–IV = 2.34, 2.67, 2.21, 2.20; tarsi I–IV = 2.89, 2.44, 2.80, 2.62, palp= 2.78. Abdomen: 24.29 long, 16.59 wide. Spinnerets: PMS, 2.32 long, 1.54 wide, 0.1 apart; PLS, 3.43 basal, 2.14 middle, 2.86 distal; widths 1.82, 1.45, 1.28, respectively.

As in male, except:

Carapace: 1.14 times longer than wide.

Fovea: 2.19 wide.

Eyes: eye tubercle 1.15 high, 2.76 long, 3.56 wide. Clypeus 0.48. Eye size and interdistances: AME 0.78, ALE 0.80, PME 0.34, PLE 0.75, AME–AME 0.64, AME– ALE 0.56, AME–PME 0.29, ALE–ALE 2.53, ALE–PME 0.91, PME–PME 2.13, PME–PLE 0.14, PLE–PLE 2.95 ALE–PLE 0.66, AME–PLE 0.66.

Maxilla: length to width: 1.70. Cuspules: 100-200 spread over ventral inner heel. Labium: 2.00 long, 2.71 wide, with 88 cuspules spaced by one diameter on anterior third.

Chelicera: basal segment with 10 teeth. Sternum: 8.69 long, 7.79 wide.

Legs: Formula: IV=I II III. Length leg IV to leg I: 1.10. Clavate trichobothria: 2/3 distal on tarsi I–IV. Scopulae: Tarsi I and IV fully scopulate. IV lacking sparse setae. Metatarsi I–II fully scopulate, III on distal 2/3; IV on distal 1/3. III divided by a bald area, IV divided by a row of setae.

Type II urticating setae: 0.54-0.66 long, 0.014-0.018 wide (measured MZUSP 125A).

Spermathecae (Fig. 106): two completely separated, not-twisted very long spermathecae, with walls lacking projections or lobes and accentuated outwards curvature medially. Midwidth expanded, about 1.5 times its basal and apical portion widths and weakly-sclerotized area shorter than half the length of well-sclerotized area.

Color pattern: dorsal abdomen with long brown guard-setae grouped on lateral and dorsal anterior areas, and dark short body setae.

Variation.

We found two different morphotypes. Morphotype 1 is found near Rio Juruá, state of Amazonas and Acre, Brazil, and in some areas of Peru (Fig. 127). Females have discrete grizzled setae in palp and legs, whitish leg rings and carapace, legs and palps with short body setae with golden and pink sheen, and abdomen with long light brown guard-setae homogeneously distributed over dark brown body short setae (Fig. 124). Males examined are not in good conditions but they do not seem to have white tipped setae on dorsal abdomen. Despite having yellowish leg rings, a female from Iquitos, Peru (Fig. 122) is considered as morphotype 1 since it has discrete grizzled guard-setae and short body setae with intense golden sheen on legs and carapace. Morphotype 2 is the most common morphotype found in the material examined and it was formerly known as Avicularia urticans . Both sexes have very grizzled setae on palps and legs, and carapace, legs and palps with dark short body setae with intense purple sheen, and yellowish leg rings (Figs 119-121). Females have dorsal abdomen with long reddish brown guard-setae grouped on lateral and dorsal anterior areas, and dark short body setae (Fig. 120). Males have white tipped setae homogenously distributed on dorsal abdomen (Fig. 121). They can be found mostly in Ecuador and Peru, but a specimen with the same characteristic pattern was found in Breves, state of Pará, Brazil.

Remarks.

For many years the name Avicularia juruensis has been applied to specimens that have vivid yellow leg rings and grizzled setae on legs and palps, that are commonly found in the states of Mato Grosso and Rondônia, Brazil. They have spermathecae with midwidth not expanded, developed prominence on palpal bulb and leg IV longer than leg I. However, Avicularia juruenesis syntypes have whitish leg rings and lack setae with conspicuous whitish apex on legs, spermathecae with midwidth expanded, palpal bulb with well-developed prominence, and leg IV as long as leg I. The characters found in these specimens formerly known as Avicularia juruensis match, in fact, with those of Avicularia rufa . Thus, we conclude the name Avicularia juruensis is being mistakenly applied to specimens of Avicularia rufa .

Color pattern ontogeny.

Brownish juveniles lacking metallic sheen, black tarsi contrasting with other lighter articles and abdomen dorsum reddish, with dorsal central longitudinal black stripe disconnected from transversal black stripes (Fig. 117). When mature, both males and females lose this pattern.

Distribution.

Brazil (states of Amazonas, Acre and Pará), Colombia, Ecuador and Peru (Fig. 76).

Natural history.

Silken retreats of Avicularia juruensis are similar to other Avicularia species (Fig. 123). An adult female Avicularia juruensis was reported feeding on a greater sac-winged bat ( Saccopteryx bilineata (Temminck, 1838)) on the side of a palm tree near Rio Yarapa, Peru ( Nyffeler and Knörnschild 2013). Another interesting behavior was the ability to swim through large rivers such as Marañon and Momon rivers in Peru (Figs 125-126) (R. C. West, pers. comm.), which can explain why rivers do not seem to act as natural barriers to Avicularia .